TiVo has announced that they’ve formed a partnership with Nero to release a PC based software DVR solution. The press release doesn’t provide a lot of information on when the software will be released or how much it will cost. My guess is that we might see something at CES.
“The partnership with TiVo extends the TV experience for the connected digital home, enabling easy access anytime, anywhere to the most extensive TV content,” said Richard Lesser, CEO, Nero AG. “Our core technology enables the creation of new categories in consumer electronics, changing the way that users interact with both hardware and software. Our proven technology adds media functionality to the world’s leading consumer electronics, personal computing and software products.”
Under the agreement, Nero will develop a software solution that will bring TiVo features to the personal computer. Capitalizing on the growing PC TV tuner market, it will answer the consumer demand for a trusted PC-based DVR experience for use with the estimated 50.8 million PC TV tuners that will be sold worldwide by 2011, according to In-Stat research report published in April 2007.
“This agreement provides TiVo with an opportunity to deliver its interface and differentiated feature set globally via the PC, enabling TiVo to use all avenues of mass distribution — from consumer electronics, to cable and satellite boxes and soon, the PC,” said Tom Rogers, President and CEO, TiVo. “We are thrilled to work with Nero, a highly successful leader in software solutions for the PC who has the ability to develop a state-of-the-art program centered on the TiVo platform that will bring the same personalized entertainment experience to domestic and international consumers on their personal computers.”
In my opinion, this is great news for TiVo. The software based DVR market is growing rapidly and it would be foolish for TiVo not to get their hands in on it.
What do you think? Would you be interested in a software based TiVo DVR?
Spotted on ZatzNotFunny.